June 17th was primary election day in Virginia, and voters across the Commonwealth have made their voices heard. While the statewide Republican ticket for the offices of the attorney general, lieutenant governor, and governor were already set without the need for primaries, candidates for Delegate, as well as Democratic candidates for statewide offices were officially chosen. As the dust settles, it has become abundantly clear that while Republicans continue to put forth pragmatic candidates, Democratic nominees will take the Commonwealth even further to the left.
I wrote in detail in a past article about how Democratic candidate for governor, Abigail Spanberger, has an energy plan that will make your electricity more expensive without addressing the root cause of high energy prices. Unfortunately, the Democratic nominees for attorney general and lieutenant governor will similarly promote policies that wreak havoc on your wallets, weaken public safety, and attempt to make Virginia look more like California.
For example, Democratic candidate for attorney general, Jay Jones, is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates who has a record of supporting and championing far-left policies. In the 2020 legislative session, then-Delegate Jones voted in favor of SB 935, which would have provided in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. In contrast, Republicans such as myself have sponsored legislation that would eliminate sanctuary policies. He also supported legislation that would allow for civil causes of action against firearm manufacturers when gun crimes occur, which is kind of like holding Chevrolet accountable when an intoxicated person gets behind the wheel and causes an accident. As attorney general, Jay Jones would be more fixated on promoting social justice initiatives and suing the Trump administration than focusing on public safety.
Likewise, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, Ghazala Hashmi, supports far-left ideas that are out of the mainstream of everyday Virginians. As a state senator, Hashmi repeatedly sponsored legislation that would have allowed for physician-assisted suicide in the Commonwealth. This is the same type of policy that Canada enacted in recent years to great ridicule from religious groups and citizens who reject this dystopian view of end-of-life medical care. She also stands – like Jay Jones – with the radical wing of the Democrat party on the side of criminals versus victims and law enforcement. She has favored legislation to expand parole eligibility, earned sentence credits, and create civilian police oversight boards – the latter of which would undermine police authority.
It is disappointing, but not shocking, to see that statewide Democratic candidates for Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor support the same left-wing policies that places like California and Canada get mocked for. Spanberger, Hashmi and Jones all support “Green New Deal” styled policies that makes energy more expensive while not keeping up with the demands of the present and future. It is a pattern of idealism – not pragmatism – that inevitably leads to social discord and an increase in the dollars you will be sending to the electric utilities or the tax department in Richmond, instead of spending them on your family. You can be sure that Virginia Republicans and I will fight vocally against these out-of-touch policies as we enter General Election season.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
